Coming from a Ledge Near You: the Redskins-Rams Offensive Review

I mentioned Moss in another thread as what I thought was a big reason we're struggling to score. I feel smart now. :) Whether it is communication or effort doesn't matter. If we can't get him the ball on a pretty consistent basis we're in trouble.

Before we suggest that he would make a good coordinator and not a good head coach: I don't buy that. Does he have too many hats? Probably. Is that because of poor organizational design? I think so. But the issues he is showing right now are that of a poor coach, whatever his role.

So... trying not to be ignorant, but what do you mean "organizational design" ? Is that "trying to do too much"? If he were to shed some hats - say turn QB coaching over to Meidt at this point, let Smith call the plays with him having veto authority, etc. would his "coaching" improve in your opinion?

It seems to me he does many things right but, I agree that he seems to be too rigid at the wrong times. Not sure why, he didn't seem that way his first eight games.

I guess I'm asking, do you think he can correct his deficiencies and be a better coach or has he reached - as you said with Campbell - "What you see is what you get"?

So... trying not to be ignorant, but what do you mean "organizational design" ? Is that "trying to do too much"? If he were to shed some hats - say turn QB coaching over to Meidt at this point, let Smith call the plays with him having veto authority, etc. would his "coaching" improve in your opinion?

It seems to me he does many things right but, I agree that he seems to be too rigid at the wrong times. Not sure why, he didn't seem that way his first eight games.

I guess I'm asking, do you think he can correct his deficiencies and be a better coach or has he reached - as you said with Campbell - "What you see is what you get"?By organizational design, I meant design of the coaching staff. You have 'x' number of offensive assistants, here are the roles, etc. The Redskins are, in many ways, a poorly coached team, which is as much about the assistants on the offense staff as it is about Zorn.

I think if he delegated better, he would appear more organized. But he can only go to his assistants if they are actually worth having on the staff. By organizational design, I'm suggesting that there's legit doubt that we have quality coaching anywhere on the offensive staff. Except the offensive line coach, who if nothing else, is proven.

I agree that it seems Zorn has a hard on for Portis. And him being a former QB should know when to turn the offense over to JC. It's just time now. We're not a running team anymore. But he's so worried about balance, his ego and getting CP the ball that it's killing the offense. If STL can throw a fade then why didn't we? We've got two WR's that are 6'4 yet he calls a trick play. And Sellers dropped the ball on the goal line but why was he on the field anyway? If we're having trouble scoring I want Kelly, Mitchell and Davis on the field when we're in the red zone. These are the guys that have the physical ability to score points....to leap over guys or get a PI. Again where are the play designs for these guys in the red zone? That's pure coaching and Zorn isn't getting it done.

By organizational design, I'm suggesting that there's legit doubt that we have quality coaching anywhere on the offensive staff.

Well, that's a fairly damning assessment but, given the performance, I would find hard to argue.

By organizational design, I meant design of the coaching staff. You have 'x' number of offensive assistants, here are the roles, etc. The Redskins are, in many ways, a poorly coached team, which is as much about the assistants on the offense staff as it is about Zorn.

I think if he delegated better, he would appear more organized. But he can only go to his assistants if they are actually worth having on the staff. By organizational design, I'm suggesting that there's legit doubt that we have quality coaching anywhere on the offensive staff. Except the offensive line coach, who if nothing else, is proven.

Part of this problem is he's working with Gibbs staff who has never worked in a WCO before. His first yr was trying to coach the coach's into understanding the WCO and what he was trying to do. Kinda hard to deligate authority when people have no idea what your talking about or what you want. I'll agree he needs to back off a bit and allow his coach's to coach though. JC knows what he has to do technique wise at this point. Let the Asst. QB coach work with him now.

Does anyone have connections with the Redskins or Hixon that could put the bug in his ear that our WR's (especially Moss due to size) need to utilize the curl, come back, and stop and go routes. Teams like the Giants, Dallas, Colts, Miami, etc., etc. understand these routes work in drawing off the defender. for whatever reason it looks like the coach's don't want our WR's doing these things. Probably telling them to just run the route straight out and pray they get seperation for JC to throw to.

I was going to say something like "Oh, now the excuse is JC and Moss have issue." LOL. but your studying of the game looks to be about right. The problem I have is why aren't the coach's fixing this issue? Maybe I'm correct in my theory that a Curl, or come back would get Moss the ball. :) and whatever happened to Moss's quick slants we used to use to pick up 2-4 yrds when needed?

Tripp, thanks for putting the work into these. I look forward to them every week.

Great job. I would agree players didnt execute along with bad calling. Everyone is accountable. One thing realllllly bothering me is our new RT Heyer. So far in pass coverage he has been ok. I dont need film to show me Heyer sucks at run blocking. This is a concern, if he cant get that together this year behind Buges coaching, then we need to upgrade.

Excellent review as always GTripp. El's snag of JC's pass was nothing short of phenomenal. Big Mike may not have the best hands, but he earns his paycheck with his blocking. Interesting to learn what happened on the "almost" safety. I thought that was a little uncharacteristic of the way JC has been playing.

I almost lost it on that almost safety, couldnt understand why he didnt throw it away. Helps seeing the whole picture, i even liked the point of maybe Kelly ran a perfect fade route but if the quarterback isnt expecting it he wont throw it right.

Thank you for the review, GTripp. I truly enjoyed it.

On the one hand, the statistical analysis you provided here serves to correct any misconceptions that I may have but, on the other hand, I can't help but think that we won't know what type of team we really have until we see a couple of late fourth quarter drives where we need to score touchdowns to win.

I don't know much but I believe that we were a gnat's eyelash away from losing to the Rams at home. If Avery hadn't fumbled on our 5-yard line in the fourth quarter, we may have needed a late touchdown to win. Who knows what might have happened in that situation? We need to find out how this team responds to that type of challenge.

Regardless of anything else, if this team can show me that they can drive to a late touchdown to pull out a game, then I'm going to have a lot more confidence that we can win any game. At that point, I'll worry less about the final score and the statistics, even against the weaker teams, as long as we win.